Frequently Asked Questions


General

OSC17 contact information
How can I receive updates and announcements about OSC17 activities?

 

Hotel and Travel

How can I find hotels near the convention center?
Where can I park?
How can I learn more about Columbus?

 

Registration

Can I attend if I don't have a BWC policy number?
Can I attend sessions for which I have not registered?
What is the cost to attend OSC17?
When and where can I pick up my badge?
How do I cancel my registration?
How do I register more than one person from my company?
Why does each person need a unique email address to register for OSC?
I work for multiple employers. How should I register and receive credit for BWC discount programs?
Do I have to select sessions when I register?

 

Sessions

How do I view handout materials for OSC17 sessions?
How do I reserve a seat for the sessions I want to attend?

 


General

OSC17 contact information

Email: SafetyCongress@bwc.state.oh.us
Phone: 800-644-6292
Web: bwc.expoplanner.com
Twitter: @OhioBWC

How can I receive updates and announcements about OSC17 activities?

Follow us on twitter @OhioBWC  for updates and announcements!   Return to Top

 

Hotel and Travel

How can I find hotels near the convention center?

Hotels are conveniently located within a 10-minute walk of the Greater Columbus Convention Center and offer discounted rates to congress participants. You must make reservations by Feb 19, 2017 to receive the discounted rate. Click here for hotel rates and locations.  

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Where can I park?

Numerous parking facilities are located within a two-block radius of the convention center.  

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How can I learn more about Columbus?

Experience Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Suite 125
Columbus, OH 43215
(866) EXP-COLS
experiencecolumbus.com

The Greater Columbus Convention Center, site of OSC17, is located in the center of the country, the center of Ohio, the center of Columbus, and is surrounded by restaurants, shops and entertainment.  

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Registration

Can I attend if I don't have a BWC policy number?

You can attend OSC17 without a BWC policy number, but you must register by phone through March 3 at 800-644-6292.

After March 3, you must register upon arrival at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  

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Can I attend sessions for which I have not registered?

You can attend a session even if you have not registered for that session. However, we encourage you to plan ahead since seating is not guranteed in all sessions. In order to get a certification for one session, you also need to scan your badge at the end of the session and fill out the online session evaluation in Attendee Service Center.  

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What is the cost to attend OSC17?

There is no fee to register for the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo.  

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When and where can I pick up my badge?

OSC17 participants can pick-up their badge in Hall C of the Greater Columbus Convention Center during these registration hours:

  • Noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 7
  • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 8
  • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, March 9
  • 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 10

Medical Symposium participants can pick-up their badge at the Hyatt Regency Columbus during these registration hours:

  • 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 8
  • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, March 9
  • 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 10

Bring your confirmation letter with bar code to the designated registration area. Badges are required for admission to all sessions, workshops and the Expo Marketplace. Badges are not transferable to another individual.

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How do I cancel my registration?

Please cancel your registration if you are not able to attend. Call 800-644-6292 or email SafetyCongress@bwc.state.oh.us.  

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How do I register more than one person from my company?

You must register each person individually. Collect the following information from each individual before beginning the registration process:

  • BWC policy number;
  • First and last name;
  • Work title;
  • Mailing address;
  • Email address (unique to the individual, not used by other individuals);
  • Number of safety congress events attended previously;
  • Primary business of the organization;
  • Number of people employed at the work location;
  • Number of years in safety and health profession;
  • Authority level to recommend or purchase products;
  • Willingness to volunteer on a safety congress program committee;
  • Willingness to share email and/or phone number with product suppliers.  

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Why does each person need a unique email address to register for OSC?

We do not recommend that you use the same email address as another individual attending safety congress.

You will receive confirmation of your registration and important safety congress announcements via email.

In addition, you will use your email address to login to the Attendee Service Center. In the service center, you can modify your contact information, update session selections, view session materials, evaluate the sessions and print attendance certificates.

Your ability to perform these functions will be compromised if you share an email address with another individual.  

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I work for multiple employers. How should I register and receive credit for BWC discount programs?

You may attend safety congress and receive attendance credit for many BWC discount programs. In some cases you may also represent multiple employers (policy numbers) simultaneously.

In doing so, please register only once and phone us at 614-466-7695 to discuss your specific attendance credit requirements. We can assist you in determining the most efficient use of your time to meet your discount program needs.  

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Do I have to select sessions when I register?

It is not necessary to select the sessions you plan to attend when you register. You also have an opportunity to do so by visiting the Attendee Service Center at any time.

However, seating is not guaranteed. Your selections assist us in providing appropriate seating for each session.  

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Sessions

How do I view handout materials for OSC17 sessions?

We will provide electronic access to session handouts and conference materials a few days before the event. Each attendee is responsible for obtaining and printing any handout they want prior to OSC17. We will not provide copies of handouts at OSC17. Handout materials can be viewed in their Attendee Service Center and OSC17/Medical Symposium session search page. Check out the Attendee Service Center to view materials for the sessions you plan to attend.

Some presenters may not provide handout materials for their session. We recommend you bring note taking supplies with you to OSC17.  

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How do I reserve a seat for the sessions I want to attend?

Advance registration does not guarantee you a seat in safety congress sessions. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. However, it is beneficial for you to select the sessions you are most likely to attend. BWC will use this information to provide additional seating for sessions in high demand.

We recommend you arrive early to the sessions most applicable to you.  

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